Sometimes Growth is Painful

Teddy is smiling a day or so after losing his two top-front teeth. That's part of growing up. There was some discomfort involved in the teeth being loose, and even more discomfort in pulling them (which he insisted on doing himself when he was good and ready). Now getting along without those teeth is a little bit awkward, but it will be worth it when those nice, strong, full-size teeth make their appearance.
Our church will celebrate its third birthday this coming weekend. We will enjoy looking back at how we started out and thinking of how much we've grown. Right now, our growth is a little bit awkward. We don't always have enough space or an adequate facility for all of the service we would like to offer and for the goals we would like to accomplish. Just this past Sunday we had over 90 again for the Sunday AM service. We've gotten used to handling 90 even though it means that latecomers have to hunt for a seat and don't always find one that offers a good view. We had over 20 men in the 9:30 AM Bible Study. That group meets in the small area off of the apartment's kitchen. That space is just about the size of a breakfast nook where a little dinette set would fit! That's uncomfortable, but it is part of growth.
We will face some more discomfort and awkwardness while we are building and before the full facility is ready, but it will be worth it. Some of the struggles will help our people to grow in their attitudes of service and responsibility. There will be opportunities to learn flexibility and patience. All of those things are good even though they come by way of inconvenience and trial.
Sure it hurts to yank out those wiggly baby teeth, but being able to bite into a crisp and juicy apple make it all worth it.

Ten Visitors

Last Sunday, January 13, we had a good-sized group in attendance for the Sunday morning service. The final count was exactly 100. That's an excellent crowd that nearly maximizes our available space. There were ten first-time visitors among the adults and teens. It was great to see the terrace filled to capacity. We are thankful for the numerical growth our church experienced in 2007 although it was a modest increase of 10%. If we continue to grow at even a moderate rate our new church building will be a necessity before we know it. Please be praying with us as we prepare the congregation to reach out to more people and to do so as ministering servants. Also pray with us about our building project: planning, funding, and construction.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch ...

We were absent from the church in Manta for two Sundays, but everyone pitched in so that regular services continued as usual. We are happy to have many people who are willing to do their part and are consistently involved in the ministry. Sunday School, village ministry, youth meeting, adult Bible studies, and Sunday services were all taken care of. I am truly grateful for the privilege we have of working alongside fine Ecuadorian Christians who are willing to use their gifts in service. We are all imperfect but redeemed; and we were unworthy and unusable, but we are now of great worth and very useful. There is a neat illustration of this in the little New Testament letter to Philemon where Paul describes the servant Onesimus, whose name means useful: "He was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me."

Christmas Trip

We were able to have some family time at the end of December. Joy had already gone to Korea to see our new grandson and his parents (ha, ha!) and Teddy and I went to the States. We spent a week with my mom where Teddy had some good Grandma Time. We reunited with Joy for Christmas in Texas and then went to Kansas to have Christmas with Ashley and Alexis and my sisters with their families. Ashley and Alexis brought their engaged-to-be future husbands along to join the fun! Teddy enjoyed getting to know his extended family even though all of his cousins are girls. It snowed in KS so one of Teddy's important goals was accomplished--to play in the snow.
I had the opportunity to report on our work to one of our great supporting churches in the San Antonio, TX area. It is always a joy to talk about the Great Commission during the Christmas Season when we all think of the "good tidings of great joy which shall be for all people."

Christmas Ministry in Travesia

On Sunday afternoon, December 12, after the church service in Manta, a ministry team from the church went to the village of Travesia where they serve each weekend. I was first to arrive at the cabin where the children gather. There were already more than 30 kids waiting. We all played games and sang songs. The crowd continued to grow after this photo was taken. The ministry team had prepared 30 packages of clothing for village families and had 200 bags of Christmas candy ready to distribute. They also gave a delicious meal to all who attended. I am very proud of the attitude and actions of service displayed by the people from our church who have made a commitment to this ministry.

Latest Addition: Grandson

On Friday, December 7, our first grandchild Ioan Michael Lewis was born to our daughter Amanda and son-in-law Mike in Uijongbu, S. Korea. We are so grateful for the blessing of this precious baby boy being added to our family. Just over 24 years ago, Joy and I experienced the wonder of Amanda's birth--our first child. What a sense of awesome responsibility and overwhelming emotion we felt! It is hard to believe that sweet little girl is now a mommy, and Joy and I are grandparents. Time does indeed fly, but its passing brings some worthwhile rewards. Rejoice and give thanks to God with us!

Believer's Baptism

The lady in pink is named Olfa. Here she is with her daughter and granddaughter. Olfa became a believer through a mass evangelism campaign sometime in the past, but she was not directed to a church that would teach her the Bible in a practical way so that she could grow as a Christ-follower. She got sucked into a crazy, money-grabbing religious cult that is very prevalent in South America. The first time she went to one of their services, they dunked her and started siphoning off her funds. After a few months of that her family encouraged her to seek out a real church. She came into contact with us through a local Christian radio station. They asked me to give her a visit. That was several months ago. Several weeks ago she mentioned that she would like to be baptized on purpose. This past Sunday, Olfa gave testimony of her faith in Christ. She understood why she was being baptized and gave a beautiful statement in words and actions of the joy of her new spiritual journey with the Lord.

On Sunday I started a new series of messages on intellectual and philosophical objections to Christianity. I am enjoying the preparation time studying apologetics. I hope that it is a blessing to the congregation and visitors as well. Please be praying with me about the series.